Portable driving mechanism for talking-machines and the like



w. soon. PORTABLE DRWING MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. I921.

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R m M w. soon. PORTABL E DRI VI NG MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. T9, I921. v

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UNITED STATES PATENT QIFFlCE.

WALTER SCOTT, OF LAKETVOOD, OHIO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

Application filed February 19, 1921. Serial No. 446,232.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, .V ALTER Soorr, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Lakewood. in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Driving Mechanism for Talking-lVIaehines and the like. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in talking machines, and has particular reference to an independent, detachable cooperating mechanism comprising a motor and a switch, each mounted on a weighted portable base and adapted to be properly placed adjacent the record platform Or turntable, and the starting and stopping lever, respectively, for driving and controlling the operation of any of the well-known types of disk Inachines, requiring no alterations of said machines whatever, and without marring the appearance thereof by fastenings or the like, nor interfering in any manner with the regulation form of spring motor or similar driving mechanism usually employed.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a portable, electricallyoperated unit for talking machines, including a motor and controlled switch, whereby said motor may be positioned to drive the record-supporting platform or turntable, and the switch mechanism so placed with respect to the starting and stopping lever of the machine as to be operated by the movements of said lever. With this arrangement, to be hereinafter more fully described, none of the original mechanism of the machine is disturbed, and the operation of the portable unit to drive the machine is controlled by the original starting and stopping lever thereon provided.

The means for driving the machine, in the carrying out of the present invention, comprises a portable motor provided with a weighted base frictionally positioned on top of what is well known in the art as the motor-board, adjacent the record platform or turntable, the shaft of said motor being supplied with a frictional drive to engage the peripheral edge of said turntable, the motor being so mounted on its base as to permit a sufficient amount of relative movement with respect thereto, providing for any irregularities in the turntable during the rotation thereof, and thereby insuring a perfect contact between the driving element of the motor and the rim of the turntable at all times, and also preventing undesirable straining of the motor. and the wearing of the movable parts resulting therefrom.

oiiperating with the motor and in circuit therewith is an electric switch mechanism, comprising the controlling means for said motor, which is also adapted to be removably positioned on the upper side of the motor-board of the machine, said switch mechanism being mounted in a suitable casing having a flat base provided with a soft frictional material, and being of sutficient weight to maintain said mechanism in any set position. The switch mechanism is constructed with a small projecting lev r arm for throwing the switch to make and break the circuit, which arm is so placec with re spect to the starting and stopping lever usually found on the common type of talking machines, as to be controlled thereby. With this arrangement, the manipulation of the starting and stopping lever will in turn automatically control the operation of the motor through the portable switch mechanism above referred to, in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

it is to be further noted that, instead of moving the starting and stopping lever by hand which will in turn operate the switch mechanism accordingly, if the machine is supplied with an automatic stop, the operation of this stop will actuate said starting and stopping lever, and thereby throw the switch and stop the motor in the manner stated, so that the arrangement is equally well adapted to automatic as well as manual operation.

Associated with the portable switch mechanism, and conveniently placed in the casing thereof, is a lamp socket provided with an independent switch, and by using a 3-wire cable or the like and proper connections, this lamp may be turned on or off at will, irrespective of the motor circuit, and without interfering with the operation of said motor or the switch mechanism for controlling the motor.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the invention as applied, in operative position, to the modern type of talking machines, showing the relative positions of the motor and switch mechanisms, and the particular cooperative relation between the motor and turntable and the switch mechanism and starting and stopping lever.

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged detail views, in plan and elevation, respectively, of the inotor and the means for adjustably and flexibly connecting the same to its portable base.

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged detailviews, in plan and elevation, of the portable casing or base inclosing the switch mechanism, showing the manner of positioning the lamp socket thereon, and the cooperative relation between the switch arm and the starting and stopping lever of the machine.

Figs. 6 and '7 are sectional detailed views of the switch mechanism per se, and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the wir ing and connections between the motor, automatic switch, and lamp.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the power element of the portable unit comprises an'electric motor 1, vertically mounted with respect to the turntable 2, usually found on the well known type of disk machines, hav ing the lower end of its shaft 3 provided with a friction roller or wheel 4, adapted to be maintained in driving contact with said turntable.

The motor 1, which is preferably of the universal type, whereby the same may be operated by either direct of alternate current, is supported in this vertical position by a hollow cast metal base 5 of sufficient weight to maintain said base in any set position, without the aid of additional fastening means, and to this end the bottom of said base is supplied with a layer of rubber or like. friction material 6, which will also cushion the base and deaden any vibration or undesirable sounds caused by the running of the motor, and at the same time preventing bolt 11 equipped with a wing nut 12.

the marring or the scratchii'ig of the talking machine.

The interior of the base is provided with the usual resistance coil or rheostat and the necessary binding posts for securing the desired system of electric wiring passing in and out of the lead openings 16,

The particular manner of attaching the motor 1 to its base 5 is by means of a pair of transversely connected links '7, the opposite ends of said links being pivotally connected to both the base and the motor. For this purpose the motor casing is provided with a pair of bracket arms or ears 8, and a trunnion 9, said trunnion passing through the ears 8 and the lower ends of the links 7, The upper ends of said links are secured to a short stand ard 10 carried by the upper tapered portion of the base the connection being efljected by a small threaded With this arrangement, the links 7 supporting the motor may be raised or lowered and main-' tained in any adjustable position, as may be found necessary to suit the particular turntable with which the motor is to be used.

Cooperating with the adjustable pivoted link connections of the motor, and in order to maintain the desired pressure on the friction wheel l thereof against the peripheral edge of the turntable 2, a spring 13 is provided, one end of which being connected to the upper end of the motor casing and the other end adjustably secured by a wing nut 14 to an upstanding bracket 15 carried by the standard 10 of the base o. This yieldable connection will not only provide for the initial regulation of the pressure between the friction drive wheel t and the turntable but will also permit any'une ven or irregular movements of said turntable without straining the motor or causing unnecessary wear on said motor mechanism.

Associated with the motorl and its portable supporting base 5 is a portable weighted base creasing l7 inclosing the motor switch mechanism, said switch mechanism being wired in circuit with'the' motor. The preferred form of switch mechanism comprises a pair of spring contact members 18 and 19 connected to their respective binding posts 20 and 21, said contact members being at all times separated from each other, allowing a space thcrebetween, as clearly shown in Fig, 6. These contact members 18 and 19 are suitably mounted withinthe casing and insulated therefrom by a fiber plate orsimilar insulating material 28. Pivoted centrally of the casing 17, with respect to the vertical axis thereof, is a double throw switch lever having an elongated arm extending without the casing, preferably provided with a small rubber roller 23 adapted to be engaged by the usual form ofstarting and stopping is so placed as to pass between the spring contacts 18 and 19 upon the manipulation of the switch lever, and thereby closing the circuit to the motor. In addition to the elongated arm projecting from the casing 17, the lever also has an oppositely disposed sh rt arm extension 26, to whichis secured a pair of diverging coil springs27, said springs having; their opposite ends appropriately secured to the casing 17. With this arrangement, said springs 27 will tend to return the'switch arm to its intermediate position and thereby maintain the circuit closed, the current being broken only when the elongated switch arm of the lever 22 is thrown to one side or the other in the act of stopping the machine by the manipulation of the lever 24 carried by the talking machine. some machines the lever 24, in stopping the machine, is adapted to be moved in a different di e t n i em th of oth r chines, and it was for the purpose or" making a switch mechanism adaptable to both types that the double-throw arrangement of switch was devised. It is to be here understood that the lever 24, carried by the talking machine, engages the switch lever 22 only when said lever 2% is moved to stop the machine, either manually or by an automatic stop with which the machine might be'provided, whereby the contact pin will become disengaged from between the spring contacts 18 and 19, and one of the springs 27 will be put under tension. When the lever 24: is moved in the reverse direction to start the machine, the pressure of the lever 24: on the switch lever will be removed, and the spring 27 will return said switch lever to its intermediate or operative position, closing the circuit and starting the motor. When the playing of the record is completed, the proper manipulation of the lever 24:, either automatically or manually, will stop the machine in the manner hereinbei ore specified.

In the drawings, with particular reference to Fig. 4, the switch mechanism is shown in operativ posit-ion with the circuit closed, the starting and stopping lever 24L having been moved to start the machine, it of course being understood that the motor and switch mechanism are in circuit with the main source of current supplied from a standard lamp socket or wall outlet by a suitable cord connection, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 8.

hen the base 17 of the switch mechanism is first put in position, the machine of course, is not running and the lever 26 thereof is in the stop position, The switch lever 22 is also moved and held in one of its inoperative positions, maintaining an open circuit, and in this position is placed in contact wth the lever 24 so as to mantain the circuit open as long as said lever 2a is in its stop position, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 4.

As hereinbefore stated, the base 17 con taining the switch mechanism is of sufficient weight to retain a stationary position after once being properly placed, and the movements of the switch lever 22 will not disturb or change this position.

To further anchor the base and also to prevent the same from scratching or marring the finish of the woodwork of the machine, the bottom of said base is provided with a thin rubber cushion 29 as in the motor base construction.

The top of the switch casing or base 17 is p ovided with an opening for the reception or a regulation lamp socket and switch 80 carrying the customary lamp 31. This lamp socket has one of its binding posts connected to the binding post 21 of the motor switch mechanism, and the other connection to the lamp socket is preferably by way of a separate wire of a -wire cable, which wire is in turn connected to the main circuit at a point back of the motor connection, as shown in 8, so that the lamp may be turned on or oif at any time without interfering with the motor circuit. In the diagrammatical view, Fig. 8, is shown the manner in which the connections are made, enabling the motor automatic switch control and the lamp to perform their several functions by means of a Q-wire lamp cord, having at one end a standard plug for inserting into a standard lamp socket or wall outlet, the current is led to the motor base through a standard cord connector, as shown. substantially close to the motor base. Within the motor base, connections are made with the motor terminals, the resistance coil, and a 3-wire cable which passes out of the motor base, the other end of said cable enterinp the housing of the automatic switch. It will be seen that one of the wires included in the 8 wire cable, and which is shown connected to one of the switch contacts, also acts as a return wire for the lamp.

Tracing the flow of the current by means of the arrow heads, it will be seen that the motor, resistance coil and switch contacts ar in series with each other, and that the lamp is independently connected across the line. The result is that the electric driving and switch control operate entirely independent of the lamp, and vice versa.

This method of connection gives a marimum utility to the whole combination for electrically driving, lighting and controlling talking machines of the disk type, and is therefore to be considered as an indispensable part of the unit as a whole.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that applicant has not only provided a particularly constructed portable motor mounting' and motor for operating talking machines and the like, but, in addition, has devised cooperative arrangement whereby the switch mechanism for driving said motor is also portably mounted and adapted to be so placed with respect to the starting and stopping lever of the ordinary disk type of talking machine, that said switch will be automatically operated to open or close a circuit to the motor by a single manipulation of aid starting or stopping lever, whether the machine be supplied with an automatic stop or is dependent upon manual operation to perform this function. In addition, the mounting for the switch mechanism is so constructed as to provide for the insertion of an electric lamp, and the wiring to said switch mounting is such that the lamp may be turned on or oit, irrespec tive 0i, and without interfering with the operation of the motor.

Applicant is aware that independent and portable motors have been used for driving &

talking machines, and also that it is not broadly new to break the circuit to an elec-' able electric switch whereby both the motor and the switch mechanism are adapted to be removably positioned with respect to the record-supporting platform or turntable, and the starting and stopping lever, respectively.

What I claim is:

1. In an independent operating unit for talking machines and the like, the combina tion with a turntable and the usual hand lever for starting and stopping said turntable, of a portable motor adapted to be mounted to drive said turntable, and a portable switch mechanism for said motor, positioned adjacent to and adapted to be controlled by the aforesaid hand lever.

2. In an independent operating unit for talking machines and the like, the combination with a turntable and the usual hand lever for starting and stopping said turntable, of a portable motor provided with a weighted base adapted to be mounted to 'drive said turntable, and a portable switch mechanism for said motor, also provided with a weighted base, positioned adjacent to and adapted to be controlled by the aforesaid hand lever. 77

3. In an independent operating unit for talking machines and thelike, the combination with a turntable and the usual hand lever for starting and stopping said turntable, of a portable electric motor provided with a weighted base, adapted to be mounted to drive said turntable, a flexible connection between said base and motor, a portable switch mechanism for said motor, a weighted housing or casing for said switch mechanism, and a switch arm projecting from said casing, adjacent to and adapted to be controlled by the aforesaid hand lever.

4. In an independent operating unit for talking machines and the like, the combination with a turntable and the usual hand lever for starting and stopping said turntable, of a portable electric motor mounted in driving relation with said turntable, a substantial, non-yieldable base for said motor, a pivoted link connection between said base and motor, means for maintaining the motor in its driving relation, a portable switch mechanism in circuit with said motor, a weighted housing or casing for said switch mechanism, and a switch arm projecting from said casing, adjacent to and adapted to be controlled by the aforesaid hand lever.

5. In an independent operating unit for talking machines and the like, the combinae tion with a turntable and the usual hand lever for starting andrstopping said turntable, of a portable electric motor mounted in driving relation with said turntable, a portable switch mechanism for said motor, a weighted housing or casing for said switch mechanism provided with a lamp socket and associated switch, a switch arm projecting from said casing, adjacent to and adapted to be controlled by the aforesaid hand lever, and a wiring connection between the motor and the motor switch mechanism and lamp switch, to permit the independent operation of either the lamp switch or motor switch.

6. In an independent operating unit for talking machines and the like, the combination with a turntable and the usual hand lever for starting and stopping said turntable, of a portable electric motor mounted in driving relation with said turntable, a portable double-throw switch for controlling said motor, a weighted housing or casing for said switch mechanism, a switch arm projecting from said casing, adjacent to and adapted to be controlled by the aforesaid hand lever, and means for normally maintaining said switch arm in its intermediate or operative position.

7. In an independent operating unit for talking machines and the like, the combination with a turntable and the usual hand lever for starting and stopping said turntable, of a portable electric motor mounted in driving relation with said turntable, a substantial, non-yieldable weighted base for saidmotor, a pair of vertically swinging adjustable links pivotally connecting said motor with said base, means for maintaining the motor in its driving relation, a portable double-throw switch in circuit with said motor, for breaking the circuit upon movement in either direction, a switch arm for performing this function, a weighted housing or casing for saidswitch mechanism, said switch arm projecting from said casing adjacent to and adapted to be controlled by the aforesaid hand lever, and means for normally maintaining said switch arm in its.

intermediate or operative position.

8. In an independent operating unit for WALTER c rn 

